Even If You Don't: Our Heart-to-Heart with Brent McCorkle on Faith in the Fire – Inside I Can Only Imagine 2
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
Hey familia and friends of Christian Podcast,Just a few days out from the nationwide release of I Can Only Imagine 2 (February 20, 2026—in theaters everywhere!), and we’re still buzzing from our recent conversation with director Brent McCorkle. What started as a dream interview about the movie turned into something much deeper: a raw, Spirit-filled talk about pain, gratitude, fatherhood, healing trauma, and holding onto God’s peace even when the fire rages and the prayers aren’t answered the way we hope.
If you haven’t listened to the full episode yet, head over to the podcast now—it’s one of our favorites. But here’s the heart of what God stirred in us through Brent’s words, our stories, and the powerful message behind MercyMe’s “Even If.”
The Movie: A Deeper Chapter in Bart Millard’s Story
I Can Only Imagine 2 picks up after the massive success of “I Can Only Imagine.” Bart Millard (played by John Michael Finley) is living the dream—sold-out arenas, a thriving career—but behind the spotlight, old wounds resurface. Now a dad himself, he struggles to connect with his son Sam (Sammy Dell) amid relational challenges, a child’s health crisis, and the weight of his own past. Enter Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia), a real-life friend of Bart’s who joins the band and brings a quiet, radical gratitude that changes everything.
Directed by Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle (with Brent writing the script), the film stars John Michael Finley, Milo Ventimiglia, Sophie Skelton, Arielle Kebbel, Sammy Dell, Trace Adkins, and Dennis Quaid. It’s PG, about 1 hour 50 minutes, and based on the true story behind the hit song “Even If.” Brent told us the sequel flips the script from the first movie: Bart, once the hurting son, now wrestles as the father trying to break cycles and find connection.
But this isn’t just a “what happens next” story—it goes deeper spiritually. It’s about holding the tension of life: yes, grief and loss are real, but so are God’s goodness, joy, and peace that surpass every storm.
“Even If”: Faith Tested in the Fire
Brent walked us through how “Even If” became the heartbeat of the film. The lyrics hit hard:
They say sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some. And right now, right now, I’m losing bad...I know You’re able, I know You can. Save through the fire with Your mighty hand. But even if You don’t, my hope is You alone.
Brent shared that true faith shows up most when we’re “held to the flame”—in the ditch, on our knees, when outcomes don’t match our prayers. He referenced the footprints poem: when we see only one set, it’s God carrying us. And like Jesus sleeping peacefully in the boat during the storm, God’s peace isn’t dependent on calm seas—it’s constant.
This resonated so much with us. Mili shared about waking up with just $20 for the week, yet thanking God on Newport Beach Pier... and watching the sky literally open with light right where we prayed. Beto talked about our 21 years as immigrants—hard seasons, trauma triggers from dysfunctional families, but God healing and redeeming every step (even a knee miracle on Mount Whitney so he could spend sacred time with our son Dorian).
Gratitude, Empathy, and Being Peacemakers
One of the most beautiful parts? Tim’s real-life practice: every morning, a Sharpie “X” on his wrist to thank God for another unpromised day. Brent said it reshaped his own heart—reminding us of the miracle in just waking up (a trillion bimolecular processes overnight!). Mili and I have adopted it; it’s simple but shifts everything from grumbling to awe.
Brent, as a dad of five, opened up about feeling like a failure in parenting—something so many of us relate to. Suffering teaches empathy, he said: when you’ve been there, you see your own eyes in someone else’s pain. That’s where peacemaking starts—not just seeking peace for ourselves, but generating it for others. In these fearful times (news cycles, division, politics), Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, bringing His peace that passes understanding.
We’re not comparing ministries—big or small, we’re all equal before Jesus. God builds His kingdom through one-on-one conversations, family dinners after the movie, and simple acts of empathy.
Go See It—And Bring Your Tissues (and a Sharpie!)
Can Only Imagine 2 releases February 20, 2026. Grab tickets at icanonlyimagine.com or your local theater. It’s entertaining, heart-tugging, and full of hope—perfect for family night. Pro tip from Brent: movie first, then dinner. You’ll have so much to talk about!
After our pre-screening, I (Beto) drew a cross on my forehead with a Sharpie and told the guy, “I didn’t like this movie... I LOVED it.” It took days to wash off, but the message won’t.
If “Even If” has carried you through fire, this film and our conversation will remind you: You’re never alone. God is in the fire with you.
Listen to the full episode, share your thoughts in the comments—what line from “Even If” hits you hardest? Let’s keep spreading hope.
See you at the theater,
Beto & Mili